Renault FLUENCE Handbook page 29

METHODS OF RESTRAINT IN ADDITION TO THE FRONT SEAT BELTS
Load limiter
Above a certain severity of impact, this
mechanism is used to limit the force of
the belt against the body so that it is at
an acceptable level.
Air bags for driver and front
passenger
Fitted to the driver and passenger side.
The presence of this equipment is indi-
cated by the word "Airbag" on the steer-
ing wheel and the dashboard (air bag
zone A) and a label on the lower part
of the windscreen or on the sun visor.
Each air bag system consists of:
– an air bag and gas generator fitted
on the steering wheel for the driver
and in the dashboard for the front
passenger;
– an electronic unit for system monitor-
ing which controls the gas generator
electrical trigger system;
å
– a single warning light
instrument panel.
The air bag system uses
pyrotechnic principles. This
explains why, when the air
bag inflates, it will gener-
ate heat, produce smoke (this does
on the not mean that a fire is about to start)
and make a noise upon detonation.
In a situation where an air bag is
required, it will inflate immediately
and this may cause some minor, su-
perficial grazing to the skin or other
problems.
A
(2/3)
Operation
This system is only operational when
the ignition is switched on.
In a severe frontal impact, the air bags
inflate rapidly, cushioning the impact
of the driver's head and chest against
the steering wheel and the front pas-
senger against the dashboard. The air
bags then deflate immediately so that
the passengers are not in any way hin-
dered from leaving the vehicle.
1.23